guest: it is significant that it is harry reid. he has always prided himself on the support he received from the nra. he was able to use the support of gun rights groups to defeat his republican opponents in a difficult race. he has been reluctant to support gun control throughout the years. since the newtown shooting, he has been largely silent on the issue. it has been a big question on what harry reid would support on the floor of the senate. the fact he has introduced background checks is significant. it means he has come along a little bit. host: dianne feinstein has been an advocate on the assault weapons ban and something she has worked on for a long time. how big was the defeat of the assault weapons ban, and take us behind the scenes. guest: it was totally expected. i think ever since the newtown shooting, we knew there was momentum building for gun control legislation, this huge popular support around the country for that measure. the band has been questionable, partly because you are taking away the rights of ordinary ci